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This article speaks volumes!
I tried to start a community outreach project with the hospital I work at. I wanted to get people talking about end of life issues, helping the public understand and prepare advanced directives. I was saddened, but not surprised, when comments about "death panels" were made.
It is heart wrenching to see patients suffering, because family members (or doctors) are not able to accept death as a natural process.
Yes, I have been there, watching someone I love on the precipice, and yes, it was hard to accept that I would have to face the future without my loved one. These experiences are the reason that I am such a strong advocate of advanced directives. Tell me what you want! I will do my best to honor your decisions. If you want to live, no matter what, I will work to support that decision. If you have made decisions about what is and is not acceptable in regard to your quality of life, I will support that as well.
I believe in the sanctity of life, and the reality of death, I believe that peace and dignity is more important than suffering to satisfy someone else's peace of mind.
We need to accept the responsibility of making decisions for our futures.
Set aside the political rhetoric of "death panels" and the false hopes of eternal physical life. Decide what is right for you. Write it down. Tell your family!
Allow your healthcare providers to meet your needs. Allow your family to be aware of your wishes, so that they may comply.

I am not Wiccan. I AM pagan. I do not sacrifice infants, self mutilate, or worship a devil (sorry, dont believe in a/the devil). I believe that healing is not always for the patient, sometimes it is for the ones left behind. I believe we should take care of the earth and each other. I do not behave in a certain way so that I may gain rewards in the next life. I do the best I can now, because it is the right thing to do.
If you want to know what your coworker believes, ask. If he/she does not want to discuss it, accept it. If you are still curious, educate yourself. 'Wicca' and 'Pagan' are both in Wikipedia as well as thousands of books.
The main thing is, just as you expect your beliefs to be respected, so should your coworkers. Part of being an adult and a professional is accepting others as they are.
Best regards,
qaqueen

Hello All,
I am looking for input about a friend who I believe is at risk, or may already be experiencing postpartum depression. She had a lot of pre-postpartum issues: single, disappointed family, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids. Part of the problem is she is in a different state. We speak by phone, she sounds "wrong", kind of whiny, not sure I can explain better than that. She is delighted with her new son, but having so many issues. I hate to suggest that she might have postpartum depression without some kind of compelling evidence.
ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Have you done what the board required of you? If you have personal nursing liability insurance? If so, check into representation.
If you have done what they asked, you have a better chance of regaining you license.
Best of luck to you.

I just stopped by to see if any new "enlightenment" had been posted.
First, thank you all for your input and support!
I am still at the same job. Please understand, I do not hate my job, or my patients. I just want to be closer to home.
I now have 1.5 yrs experience, more training, and not much has changed. That is just okay. I love my life. I love being a nurse. I just want to be closer to home.
Again, thank you all.
Love and light to you all!

Ah, two really good, opposing points! Here are my two cents . If you are offered the NICU job, you will be trained. I have seen new grads swim and sink in NICU.
If you are drawn to NICU, you may have exactly the strength you need to deal with the ups and downs. NICU can be joyful and heartbreaking, sometimes both in the same day.
The people who seem to do the best, psychologically are the ones that understand that things happen for a reason. You do not have to be religious, or especially spiritual. Logic and reason go a long way in dealing with pts expiring, especially little ones.
The nice thing is, in the NICU, you will always have someone who understands what you are feeling. The seasoned nurses have been through it and know the hardships. The new grads are scared but want to do the best they can for the preemies and the families.
If you are offered the job, I say go for it. If you are not, maybe that means that you need more time to find your "center" as a nurse.
Follow your heart!

I would love some input!
I have been working in Med/Surg for 1.5 yrs. After graduation, I took an EKG class and obtained my ACLS cert. I like Med/Surg, but really want to work in a higher acuity area. I have been applying to Tele positions to no avail. I am pursuing my BSN, but have at least 9 months to go.
What do I need to do to get into Tele?
Thanks

First I would like to thank all posters for your kindness and support!
Second, I would love to follow the above train of thought...
I am not sure what changes I can make to improve my chances but I can tell you what I have done so far. I dress professionally for interviews. I take extra copies of my resume. I do not speak badly about my current position, management or facility. The only thing that I acknowledge disliking is the drive to and from work (2+ hours). I have taken, on my own, an EKG and ACLS class to improve my marketability (and because I enjoy learning). The organization that I work for loves to ask the personality interview questions; "tell me about a time when...", the one that I have the biggest problem with is "tell me about a time when you have gone above and beyond for a patient". The truth is, I try to do that with every patient, I do my best to make an unpleasant hospital stay as bearable as possible. I guarantee you, this is NOT the answer they are looking for:rolleyes:.
I am open to any reasonable suggestions.
Again, thank you all, you are terrific.

I just need to whine for a second. If anyone can slap me into reality, I would really appreciate it:uhoh3:.
For the last year (since my graduation), I have been working at a job that I am mostly unhappy with. The number of things that I am unhappy about far outweigh the things that bring me joy. I have been looking for work within my organization for several months. I have had a few interviews with no luck. Each interview makes me more aware of how unhappy I am in my present position.
I was called for yet another interview. At this point, I feel like I will never escape from the h#ll that I work in now. It seems like a lost cause to get dressed and drive to yet another interview that will likely only further exacerbate my sadness.
Part of me knows that I have to keep looking to make a change, and part of me is tired of being disappointed. Part of me feels bad because I know there are nurses out there who dont have a job and I should be grateful for what I have.
Okay, anybody that can slap some sense into me, please have at it.

This is wonderful advice. Here is one more piece that I learned the HARD way.
Even if a manager interviews well, do not accept everything at face value. As a late in life career changer, I did interview my first manager. She said all the right things. I asked about turnover rates/longevity on the unit, she told me the average was 15 years. The truth is more like 2 to 3 years. With people trying to get out of the department within 6 months of joining. I asked about her expectations, what she said and what I experienced... not even close.
So yes, interview your prospective manager, but don't forget to use the assessment skills you have learned. Be aware of body language, and situations that sound too good to be true. As this job was quite far from my home, I did not know anyone at the facilty that I could ask questions about my manager-to-be. If you have an opportunity to get inside information, do it, then you have the option of making a decision with your eyes open. Even if that means taking a less than ideal position because you need to work. At least you will know what you are getting into.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
Oh my goodness, I don't think I have ever done anything right in a year of med/surg nursing! Actually, I know that is not true, and I will explain why in a bit, but let me tell you that I FEEL your pain, just about everyday that I work.
When I started working, I had 7 weeks training, unfortunately, I had 7 different preceptors. Each disagreed with the last and I was often in trouble for following instructions of the prior preceptor.
So I get to the floor, and find that each of my preceptors was right about some things and wrong about some. The worst part was that I asked my manager, who was all sweetness and light in my interview, for an opportunity to do some additional training, that was my first mistake! How dare I admit that I dont know it all.
My next mistake was admitting an error, no one got hurt, it was policy rather than procedural, but when I learned I had done something wrong, I went to the mgr and told her. OH MY STARS, you would have thought I euthanized somebody.
So basically, the only time my mgr has spoken to me in the last year was to admonish, criticize or complain. I cannot express how excited I am that my annual review is coming up shortly. I am sure that it will be terrific!
Now, on to the part about how I know I am not the worst nurse in the world....Early on, I decided to keep a journal of sorts, to write down the nice things patients said to me. I did and still do (though not as diligently as I used to). I have to tell you that there are days that I read the entries and they are the only thing that gets me back to work. I know I have made positive impacts and helped my patients, even if my "superiors" do not realize or acknowledge it. I was meant to be a nurse.
Hang in there, not every place is the right fit. Look around and while you are waiting for the right job, remind yourself that you are a good nurse and getting better everyday.

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